Every project starts with excitement and visions of what’s to come. However, for many construction companies, owners and architects, this excitement soon becomes frustration when permits end up taking much more time than expected due to unforeseen revisions, conflicts between building systems’ designs and missing documentation.
Luckily, many permits can be expedited with proper planning and engineering approach. Professional MEP consulting services will make sure that your mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems are code-compliant, coordinated and designed to help get permits approved faster.
What You Will Learn In This Blog
- Why MEP coordination is crucial for permit approval
- Reasons why permit applications are delayed
- How integrated MEP engineering services can increase project efficiency
- How to choose professional MEP engineering consultants
- FAQ regarding MEP consulting services
Why Permit Approvals Are Important
Construction schedules are based on milestones. A delay in obtaining permits usually results in delays in every further phase of the process. Labor force and material deliveries can get rescheduled and the costs usually increase due to extended timeline.
Often enough, permit applications are delayed not due to the permitting body. In many cases the reasons of permit delays are inadequate drawings, inconsistencies in engineering documents, non-compliance with codes and conflicting between systems which results in many revisions needed.
For commercial buildings, healthcare facilities, educational institutions, manufacturing plants, office buildings and other types of institutional projects, permit approval delays can become quite costly rather fast.
That’s why cooperation with professional MEP engineering consulting services early in the design phase is important in order to avoid unnecessary delays and extra costs.
The Role of MEP Consulting Services in Streamlining Permit Approval
One of the main reasons why permits are requested to be revised is lack of coordination between building systems.
There can be mechanical ducts which collide with plumbing lines, electrical conduits which conflict with structural elements, fire protection systems which need adjustments as a result of mechanical layout and many other cases.
Professional MEP coordination services identify such conflicts early before any plans are submitted.
Instead of waiting for comments from the reviewer, engineers coordinate everything on the design stage. This allows creating a more consistent drawing package which will require less time to revise.
Integrated Engineering Improves Documentation Quality
Integrated MEP engineering services provide not only mechanical, electrical and plumbing designs but also their coordination as a single system.
This approach gives many benefits including:
- Improved communication between engineering disciplines
- Less design conflicts
- Consistent construction documents
- Code compliance
- Coordination with architects and structural engineers
Such kind of coordination allows providing reviewer with a more comprehensive set of plans.
It often leads to fewer questions during plan review phase.
Are you looking for professional MEP consultants?
If you are designing a commercial, institutional or industrial project, using professional MEP engineering consulting services early in the design phase can help to avoid revisions and conflicts prior to permit submission.
Code Compliance Starts During the Design Phase
Codes are constantly being updated in order to increase safety, energy efficiency, accessibility and performance of buildings.
Permit reviewers analyze compliance with:
- Mechanical codes
- Electrical codes
- Plumbing codes
- Energy requirements
- Fire protection standards
- Local building regulations
Professional MEP engineering consultants stay up-to-date with changes in the codes and apply them from the beginning of the project design.
It allows to avoid major corrections after receiving comments from the reviewers.
Early Engineering Planning Prevents Project Delays
One of the most underestimated benefits of professional MEP consulting services is identification of potential issues before the construction even starts.
During the early planning phase you can:
- Resolving design conflicts
- Improving communication between consultants
- Reducing change orders
- Avoiding construction delays
- Creating more accurate project schedule
No matter how good your engineering firm is, it cannot guarantee permit approval within a certain period of time. However, proper planning often avoids avoidable issues which cause delays.
The Long-Term Value of Integrated MEP Engineering Services
Permitting is only the first step in the lifetime of a building.
Good engineering coordination still helps to achieve additional benefits long after the construction is over.
Properly coordinated mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems will allow contractors to encounter less conflicts during installation, project managers – less field changes and owners – having buildings that perform better.
Other benefits include:
- Energy performance improvement
- Improved occupant comfort
- Easy maintenance
- Lower operating costs
- Better building reliability
In other words, the same coordination practices which help to speed up permit approval will also positively affect performance of buildings in the future.
Common Myths About MEP Consulting Services
Myth: MEP engineering is required only during the construction phase.
Reality: The most important decisions about the success of your project are made in the design phase. Early decisions affect permitting, construction efficiency, operating costs and long-term maintenance.
Myth: Architects coordinate all engineering.
Reality: Architects are leading your project while MEP engineers are responsible for designing and coordinating of the complex building systems with architectural and structural plans.
Myth: Permit reviewers find all issues.
Reality: Permit reviewers check code compliance but do not redesign your project. It’s better to resolve conflicts prior to submitting your drawings to avoid revisions.
Myth: Fast permits mean hurried design.
Reality: Proper planning can help you speed up the permitting process not due to hurried engineering but thanks to well thought out decisions.
Choosing the Right MEP Engineering Consultants
Not all engineering firms provide the same level of coordination and project experience.
If you want to select professional MEP engineering consulting services, you should pay attention to the following factors:
Similar project experience
Select the engineering firm which has experience in commercial, institutional, industrial, healthcare, educational or mixed-use projects similar to yours.
High-quality coordination process
Ask about how mechanical, electrical, plumbing, fire protection and structural coordination are performed.
Up-to-date knowledge about codes
Building codes change quite often. It’s better to work with consulting firms which stay up-to-date with applicable codes.
Cooperative communication
Successful projects are created thanks to proper communication between architects, owners, contractors and engineering consultants.
Long-term project perspective
The best engineering solutions will help you not only to get your permits approved but also construct, maintain and operate the building effectively in the future.
Build a Strong Foundation for Your Project
Permit approval is not just a necessary regulatory step. It’s the opportunity to lay the foundation for the successful future development of your project.
Coordinated engineering, proper planning and code-compliant designs can help to avoid delays and reduce construction costs.
LKU Group, Inc. provides MEP consulting services, MEP design coordination and integrated MEP engineering services for your commercial, industrial, institutional or mixed-use project.
Contact LKU Group, Inc. at (201) 791-1210 today to discuss your next project and get professional advice about how engineering coordination can help to make your plans come true.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are MEP consulting services?
MEP consulting services include planning, design and coordination of mechanical, electrical and plumbing building systems. Professional engineers develop code-compliant designs which are effective, consistent and helpful in the permitting process.
How does MEP design coordination help with permitting?
MEP design coordination helps to find design conflicts between building systems before plans are submitted. Such approach allows avoiding unnecessary revisions which can slow down the permit approval process.
What are MEP engineering consultants doing?
MEP engineering consultants perform project design, coordinate with architects and structural engineers, ensure code compliance, create engineering documents and help to increase efficiency of the whole project.
Why is it important to have integrated MEP engineering services?
Integrated MEP engineering services help to increase efficiency of communication between engineering disciplines, reduce design conflicts and create more consistent and coordinated construction documents.
Can MEP consulting services reduce construction costs?
Every project is unique, however, integrated engineering can help you to reduce redesign costs, minimize change orders and avoid other construction delays related to design issues.
When should I hire MEP engineering consultants?
The best time to hire MEP engineering consultants is early in the design phase. Proper early involvement allows to coordinate building systems starting from the early design phase and avoid revisions and improve planning.
